Pedestal (Aiko song)
| "Pedestal" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.webp) Eurovision version cover | ||||
| Single by Aiko | ||||
| from the album Fortune's Child | ||||
| Released | 22 September 2023 | |||
| Recorded | January 2023 | |||
| Genre | Pop-rock[1] | |||
| Length | 2:28 | |||
| Label | Self-released | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) | Steven Ansell | |||
| Aiko singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Pedestal" on YouTube | ||||
| Eurovision Song Contest 2024 entry | ||||
| Country | ||||
| Artist(s) | ||||
| Composer(s) | Steven Ansell | |||
| Lyricist(s) | Aiko | |||
| Entry chronology | ||||
| ◄ "My Sister's Crown" (2023) | ||||
"Pedestal" is a song by Czech singer Aiko, self-released on 22 September 2023 as the lead single of Aiko's third studio album, Fortune's Child. Self-described as a "self-love, post-breakup anthem", it was written by Aiko and Steven Ansell. The song is set to represent Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, to be held in Malmö.
Background and composition[edit]
"Pedestal" is composed by Aiko and Steven Ansell.[2] In interviews, Aiko has self-described the song as a "self-love, post-breakup anthem" meant to release her anger after breaking up in a relationship with an unnamed partner.[3] After breaking up with her partner, she had a "moment of realization" where she realized that she had not taken care of herself first. The song advocates for putting one's own self and their health as their top priority, using a "pedestal" as a metaphor for the message.[4] The song was recorded throughout January 2023.[3] In press statements, she has also claimed that the song also "talks about negative emotions and situations" one experiences at the end of a toxic relationship.[5]
Aiko was officially announced to participate in ESCZ 2024 on 28 November 2023.[6] After winning the contest, a member of the Czech delegation, Ahmad Halloun, implied the song would be revamped specifically for its performance at the Eurovision Song Contest;[7] this was confirmed by Aiko in early March, revealing that the new version would be released on 21 March.[8][9] The revamped version features a lyrical change to comply with the contest's regulations prohibiting vulgar language.[10]
Music video and promotion[edit]
Before the album's official release, an accompanying music video for "Pedestal" was released on 22 September 2023.[11]
To further promote the song, Aiko performed the song at various Eurovision pre-parties. She appeared at the Eurovision in Concert event on 13 April 2024[12] and the Nordic Eurovision Party on 14 April.[13]
Eurovision Song Contest[edit]
ESCZ 2024[edit]
Czech Republic's broadcaster Česká televize (ČT) organized a seven-entry competition, ESCZ 2024 with a singular grand final to select its entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[14] The edition was the sixth iteration of the national final. The winning song in the final was selected after all entries were shown in the grand final on 4 December, with voting opened until 11 December, with the winner being determined by a weighted combination of an international and a Czech public vote.[15][16]
Aiko was announced to compete in ESCZ 2024 on 28 November 2023, with her song for the contest being revealed during the grand final.[6] After voting was closed, on 13 December, the song was announced as the winner of the contest. Despite having a lack of votes of the Czech vote, the song earned an extreme majority of the international vote, earning more than 10,000 votes than the second-place finisher. As a result of winning, the song won the right to represent the Czech Republic in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024.[17]
At Eurovision[edit]
The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 will take place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö, Sweden, and consist of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 7 and 9 May and the final on 11 May 2024. During the allocation draw on 30 January 2024, Czechia was drawn to compete in the second semi-final, performing in the first half of the show.[18]
Release history[edit]
| Country | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 22 September 2023 | Self-released | [citation needed] |
References[edit]
- ^ Weaver, James (24 September 2023). "Aiko releases new music video for 'Pedestal'". Distorted Sound. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Helgeson, Justina (13 December 2023). "Czechia: Aiko wins ESCZ 2024 – To Eurovision with "Pedestal"". Eurovision World. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ a b Juhász, Ervin (4 December 2023). "Aiko - Pedestal / ESCZ 2024 - Eurovision Czech Republic / Interview". Retrieved 1 February 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "🇨🇿 AIKO - Pedestal | ESCZ 2024 in Czechia (INTERVIEW)". 6 December 2023. Retrieved 1 February 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Weaver, James (24 September 2023). "Aiko releases new music video for 'Pedestal'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ a b Granger, Anthony (28 November 2023). "🇨🇿 Czechia: ESCZ 2024 Finalists Revealed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Stephenson, James (23 January 2024). "Czechia: 'Pedestal' Could Be Revamped for Eurovision 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ Van Dijk, Sem Anne (7 March 2024). "Czechia: Revamp of 'Pedestal' to be Released Soon". Eurovoix. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (16 March 2024). "Czechia: Revamp of 'Pedestal' to be Released on March 21". Eurovoix. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Farren, Neil (21 March 2024). "Czechia: Aiko Releases Revamp of 'Pedestal'". Eurovoix. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ Weaver, James (24 September 2023). "Aiko releases new music video for 'Pedestal'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ van den Berg, Sabien (23 January 2024). "Two more acts confirmed for Eurovision in Concert 2024". ESCXtra. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Andersson, Rafaell (10 January 2024). "Czechia: Aiko Confirmed For Nordic Eurovision Party 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (22 November 2023). "🇨🇿 Czechia: Up to Seven Artists to Compete in ESCZ 2024". Eurovoix. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (13 November 2023). "Czechia: ESCZ 2024 Final on December 4". Eurovoix. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ "Czechia: ESCZ 2024". Eurovision World. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ Adams, William Lee (13 December 2023). "Czechia: AIKO wins ESCZ 2024 with "Pedestal"". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
- ^ "Eurovision 2024: Semi-Final Draw results". Eurovision.tv. EBU. 30 January 2024. Retrieved 30 January 2024.